Double Lung Transplant Recipient to Climb Oakbrook Terrace Tower in

Double Lung Transplant Recipient to Climb Oakbrook Terrace Tower in Fight for Air ClimbAmerican Lung Association Fight for Air Climb is February 10, 2013

CHICAGO, IL (January 31, 2013) – For most of us, climbing 31 stories, 680 steps, once or even multiple times, would be enough of a challenge. For Dan Dolan-Laughlin, of Wheaton, IL, climbing Oakbrook Terrace Tower in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb on February 10, is nothing short of a miracle. Dolan-Laughlin was the recipient of a double lung transplant in 2012, when end-stage COPD had left him unable to function without round-the-clock oxygen therapy. Today, his team, Stand with Dan, is planning on climbing the tower twice and has a fundraising goal of $6,000.

“I don’t take my life for granted. My life literally depends on having healthy air to breathe,” says Dolan-Laughlin. “The Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb raises money for lung disease research and advocacy efforts for healthy air. I’m not just fighting for air for myself, but for everyone with lung disease. Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air.”

“We have so many inspirational people and stories coming together at this event,” said Meghan Miller, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago. “People from all levels of ability, some with lung disease themselves, some climbing in honor or in memory of a loved one who suffers – the energy at the Climb is amazing!”

The fundraising goal for the Fight for Air Climb is $187,000. The American Lung Association uses the dollars raised to fund research to find a cure for lung cancer and other lung diseases, provide education and resources to those who suffer from lung cancer, COPD, emphysema and asthma and fund advocacy for cleaner air so everyone can breathe easier.

“To date, we have close to 700 participants signed up, including nearly 150 first responders,” said Miller. “Our police, firefighters and S.W.A.T. teams race to the top in full gear, including oxygen tanks for firefighters. And our “power hour,” which allows climbers to climb the building as many times as they can in an hour, is attracting more climbers this year. It’s going to be an exciting event, with about 900 participants in total.”

“Today, I feel great,” said Dolan-Laughlin, “and I’m looking forward to meeting some of the firefighters at the Climb. I just want everyone to know that every Climb participant is raising money for such a good cause.”

There’s still time to register for the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb at Oakbrook Terrace Tower by visiting www.FightForAirClimb.org. Same day registration is accepted, but pre-registration is preferred, and it gives participants time to meet the $100 minimum fundraising level. For more information, contact Events@LungIL.org or call 312-781-1100.

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About the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago: Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungIL.org.